Although I now split my time between Rome and Umbria, Sicily has had my heart since I was twelve. My first visit was a Christmas adventure, wedged into the back of a Fiat 124 with my sisters, racing along winding coastal roads while my parents navigated by paper map. Even then, I felt it: that unique mix of wild beauty, layered history, and irrepressible spirit that makes Sicily unlike anywhere else in Italy. I’ve been returning ever since.
Over the years, I’ve experienced the island in every season, from almond blossoms in February to blazing summer sunsets over the sea and autumn harvests heavy with olives and grapes. I’ve come for work and for pure pleasure, and along the way I’ve built friendships across the island with winemakers and farmers, chefs and fishermen, shepherds in the hills and hosts by the sea. Sicily, to me, is personal. It is not just a destination, but a community I cannot wait to share with you.
Palermo is not only my favorite city in Sicily, but perhaps in all of Italy. I would love to show you why and share some of my favorite places with you. During this six-day tour, we’ll have time to truly explore this rich corner of the island, from a completely food-centric point of view, of course.
Palermo will be our base, but we’ll also venture into the countryside to discover the culture of food that is so deeply tied to the landscape. From breakfast through dinner, we’ll wander through small towns, the countryside, and the streets of Palermo, tasting, drinking, eating, cooking, learning, and having fun along the way.
And just as importantly, there will be time to linger over a long lunch, browse the shops, or simply wander down a hidden lane.
Come experience the Sicily I know and love. I can’t wait to introduce you. – Elizabeth
The Culture of Food in Eastern Sicily with Shauna Niequist
The first time I visited Italy, I felt something shift inside me immediately—I fell in love with the food, of course, but also the people, the architecture, the sense of beauty. I love the traditions and the deep respect for history. I love the fashion and the language and the expressiveness of peoples’ voices and faces. I love the chaotic swirl of colors and sounds and smells of a street market, the sacred hush of a church that’s been standing for centuries, the apertivo hour when the light turns golden and people stop to enjoy a bite, a sip, and the company of people they love.
I’ve learned so much about food—about how local and seasonal ingredients and simple preparations can yield such delicious meals. And I’ve learned so much about hosting and how to create meaningful rhythms around the table. I’ve learned about the importance of understanding history and supporting artisans who are committed to the preservation of traditions. And so much of what I’ve learned has come from my friendship with Elizabeth and Sophie Minchilli and the time I’ve spent on Via Rosa tours.
One week, one hotel home base, twelve people, a knowledgeable local guide. A thoughtful itinerary, charming spots you’d never find on your own, plenty of downtime to do your own thing in the evenings—I really love the Via Rosa style of traveling, and I’ve fallen in love with Sicily through their tours. This time around we’ll be on Sicily’s eastern coast—known for its gorgeous coastline, of course, but also stunning architecture and beautiful inland countrysides. We’ll be based on Ortigia, a small island, with day trips to Noto and Ragusa. We’ll stay at a charming family-run hotel, and our days will be full of adventures: a market walk, a cooking class, an architectural tour, and farm visits in an area known for olive oil, almonds, and fresh seafood. I’d love for you to join us! —Shauna
The Culture of Food in Puglia & Matera with Sophie Minchilli
I’ve been coming to Puglia since I was born. My father, Domenico, is from Bari, the capital of this sun-soaked regio, and his family home has always been my base for exploring everything Puglia has to offer. Over the years, I’ve built a life and career around sharing the food, places, and people I love here, through tours, social media, and my book The Sweetness of Doing Nothing.
This six-night journey begins in Bari, where we’ll spend four days discovering the city’s hidden corners and using it as a base to explore the surrounding countryside and coast. You’ll meet many of the producers, cooks, and artisans I’ve come to know over the years, and experience the region the way I have: through meals, stories, and warm hospitality.
Midweek, we’ll head to Matera, a stunning cave-filled city in nearby Basilicata. There, we’ll stay in a luxurious 5-star cave hotel and spend two days exploring one of the most magical towns in Italy.
I hope you’ll join me for a week of unforgettable meals, meaningful connections, and a deep dive into the food culture of southern Italy. – Sophie Minchilli
The Culture of Food in Piedmont with Sophie & Elizabeth Minchilli
Sophie and I have been traveling to Piedmont together for the last 25 years. I first brought her here as a child while researching my food guides and attending the Slow Food Salone del Gusto, held in Torino every two years. Over time, we both fell in love not only with the elegant city of Turin, but also with the surrounding countryside and its extraordinary food and wine traditions.
We are so excited to share this region, which somehow still remains off the radar for many travelers. The rolling hills of the Langhe produce some of the world’s most revered wines, including Barolo, while the forests nearby are home to the legendary white truffle, one of Italy’s most prized culinary treasures. From tiny meat-filled plin to delicate tajarin dressed simply with butter and truffles, the pasta here is among the finest in Italy. And the region’s beautiful produce — including its famous hazelnuts — is transformed into some of the country’s most beloved confections and chocolates.
Over six days, we’ll experience Piedmont the way we love it most: through what we eat and drink. We’ll move between small towns and countryside, stopping often—whether for a taste of freshly made cheese, a long lunch, or time spent cooking together. It’s not about rushing from place to place, but about savoring each moment.
We’ll be based in La Morra, in the Langhe and Torino, staying in two different hotels. Our days will be full, but never overwhelming, with time built in to wander on your own in the evenings—whether that means an aperitivo in a quiet piazza or getting a little lost in the streets.
Most of all, we can’t wait to introduce you to the people who bring this region to life: winemakers, cheesemakers, chocolatiers, truffle hunters, and cooks who continue to preserve Piedmont’s rich culinary traditions with passion and pride. I hope you can join us! – Elizabeth & Sophie
The Culture of Food in Sardinia with Sophie Minchilli
If you’ve been to Italy, you might have noticed that each region feels like a completely different country: each has its own unique history, cultural traditions, language, and (of course) recipes. Even after a lifetime here, I’m still amazed by how distinct they all feel. I could be in Rome one morning, take a 30-minute flight to Sardinia, and feel as if I’ve traveled to a completely different country. Because Sardinia, or Sardegna in Italian, is the second-largest island in Italy, it has managed to maintain a strong cultural identity and a sense of separation from mainland Italy.
For years, tourists mainly knew Sardinia for its stunning crystal-clear waters, and most visitors came to the island simply for a summer beach holiday. But beyond its postcard-worthy coastline lies an island with a distinctive soul, shaped by centuries of tradition. With its own language (Sardu), unique recipes, rare ingredients, and a deep connection to music, dance, and craftsmanship, Sardinia leaves a lasting impression on anyone who visits.
Over the years, my love for Sardinia has grown as I’ve explored more of its hidden treasures, venturing beyond the usual tourist paths. Now, I’m excited to share these off-the-beaten-track discoveries with you through a carefully crafted week-long journey designed to showcase the heart of Sardinian culture. We’ll explore both the central and southern parts of the island, diving deep into its culinary traditions while uncovering its rich history and local customs.
I hope you can join me for a week filled with authentic flavors, off-the-beaten-path experiences, and a genuine taste of Sardinian life. By the end of our journey, you’ll not only gain a deeper understanding of this remarkable island, but also a love for its people and their traditions. – Sophie Minchilli
Olives, Almonds & Memory: A Jewish Culinary Journey through Sicily with Leah Koenig
I first fell in love with Italy just after college, spending a summer tending grape vines on an organic vineyard outside Florence. Years later, during my honeymoon in Rome, a Shabbat dinner featuring Italian-Jewish dishes unlike anything I had grown up with — braised meats in wine and tomato, rosemary chicken, fragrant meatballs with softened celery — set me on the path of collecting and sharing Jewish recipes and stories from around the world.
For more than a thousand years, Sicily was home to one of Europe’s oldest Jewish communities, and traces of that rich culture still live on in the island’s food. On this journey through Eastern Sicily, we’ll explore beautiful Baroque towns, vibrant markets, and the flavors that tell the story of Sicily’s layered past.
While few recipes survive that are explicitly labeled as “Jewish Sicilian”, their influence remains deeply woven into the cuisine. Ingredients and techniques like almonds, sesame, eggplant, raisins in savory dishes, agrodolce, olive oil frying, and chickpea flour form a culinary fingerprint of Sicily’s Jewish and Arab-Sephardic heritage — one we’ll discover throughout the week through tastings, shared meals, and local traditions.
We’ll be based in Ortigia, the luminous old heart of Syracuse, once home to one of Sicily’s most important Jewish communities. Our days will be filled with wandering ancient neighborhoods, exploring markets, venturing into the countryside, and savoring Sicily at its most relaxed — lingering over long lunches and getting lost down hidden lanes scented with jasmine and sea air.
More than a history tour, this is an invitation to experience the living culture of Sicily through its food, its people, and the enduring flavors that connect past and present. Come experience the Sicily I know and love. I can’t wait to share it with you. – Leah
The Culture of Food in Piedmont with Elizabeth & Sophie Minchilli
Sophie and I have been traveling to Piedmont together for the last 25 years. I first brought her here as a child while researching my food guides and attending the Slow Food Salone del Gusto, held in Torino every two years. Over time, we both fell in love not only with the elegant city of Turin, but also with the surrounding countryside and its extraordinary food and wine traditions.
We are so excited to share this region, which somehow still remains off the radar for many travelers. The rolling hills of the Langhe produce some of the world’s most revered wines, including Barolo, while the forests nearby are home to the legendary white truffle, one of Italy’s most prized culinary treasures. From tiny meat-filled plin to delicate tajarin dressed simply with butter and truffles, the pasta here is among the finest in Italy. And the region’s beautiful produce — including its famous hazelnuts — is transformed into some of the country’s most beloved confections and chocolates.
Over six days, we’ll experience Piedmont the way we love it most: through what we eat and drink. We’ll move between small towns and countryside, stopping often—whether for a taste of freshly made cheese, a long lunch, or time spent cooking together. It’s not about rushing from place to place, but about savoring each moment.
We’ll be based in La Morra, in the Langhe and Torino, staying in two different hotels. Our days will be full, but never overwhelming, with time built in to wander on your own in the evenings—whether that means an aperitivo in a quiet piazza or getting a little lost in the streets.
Most of all, we can’t wait to introduce you to the people who bring this region to life: winemakers, cheesemakers, chocolatiers, truffle hunters, and cooks who continue to preserve Piedmont’s rich culinary traditions with passion and pride. I hope you can join us! – Elizabeth & Sophie
The Culture of Food in Western Sicilyn with Jenny Rosenstrach
I’m Jenny Rosenstrach, author of the award-winning newsletter and book series Dinner: A Love Story. Italian food and traditions run deep in my family — my mother’s side hails from Abruzzo, and my daughters have been lucky enough to grow up with Italian grandmothers and great-grandmothers on both sides. After hosting unforgettable Via Rosa tours in Eastern Sicily , sun-drenched Puglia, and most recently in Parma, I’m thrilled to return to Italy once again — this time to western Sicily.
For six nights and five delicious days, we’ll be based in the vibrant city of Palermo, a jewel of a city known for its rich culinary traditions, layered history, and irresistible charm. Together, we’ll dive deep into the food culture shaped by western Sicily’s fascinating past and stunning landscape — think freshly filled cannoli, handmade couscous, and ricotta made before our eyes. Along the way, we’ll meet the passionate people who keep these traditions alive.
From bustling markets to countryside kitchens, every day will bring hands-on cooking experiences, behind-the-scenes tastings, and unforgettable meals. And don’t worry — there will also be time built in to relax, wander, and explore on your own.
I hope you’ll join me for this deeply delicious adventure in one of Italy’s most extraordinary food regions — Jenny
The Culture of Food in Eastern Sicily with Jeanne McDowell
I’m thrilled to invite you to join me in Sicily. I’m even more thrilled because it will be my first time visiting. Exploring a place with fresh eyes is the most incredible experience – and I can’t wait to share it with you! Thanks to Via Rosa, there’s a thoughtful – and most importantly, delicious – itinerary waiting for us. Together, we’ll visit markets and learn about the cultivation and creation of specific ingredients, like almonds and chocolate. We’ll visit towns, ruins, and the countryside. We’ll taste incredible things (take me to the cannoli immediately), sit around many gorgeous tables together – and we’ll even get a chance to cook together, too. It’s a unique chance to dive in, and really get to know this magical place thanks to Via Rosa, who know it so well. And in the process, we’ll get to know each other better, too. I look forward to sharing more about myself and my work as we share adventures in this truly beautiful location. I’m truly excited for this experience, and I cannot wait to meet you there! – Erin